The ladder: a one-act allegorical play about drugs - play - Section 2: Drama

Cast

Henry Highsmith Mr. Highsmith Mrs. Highsmith Al Cohall Mary Wana Henrietta Herroanne Charlie Kokane Peter Pillsaplenty Stanley Smart Howard Highsmith

(Lights up on ladder. A male figure is seated on the ladder, but he is not all the way to the top. As the lights come all the way up, we realize that the ladder is situated in the middle of a living room. Mr. and Mrs. Highsmith enter.)

Mr. Highsmith: Helen, he's still there. What do you suggest that we do now?

Mrs. Highsmith: I don't know, John. I just figured if we waited a while he would come down on his own, but I guess I was wrong.

Mr. Highsmith: Well, we've waited long enough. Something has to be done, and soon. The boy might die sitting up there. He hasn't eaten for two days. He just sits there staring blankly into space, muttering dumb phrases. We can't let him go on like this.

Mrs. Highsmith: But what can we do? Who can we call? How can we tell our friends that our son spends all his time on a ladder? We still don't know where he got it from, or why he has brought it here. I just don't know what to do. Henry, Henry, can you hear me? Are you all right, son?

Henry: All right. All is right. Right for all and all for right. I'm all right, you're all right, he, she, it are all right. It's all right with me. (He is smiling.)

Mr. Highsmith: The boy has flipped. Completely flipped. Look, Helen - I think we need to car a doctor. Possibly have him committed or something.

Mrs. Highsmith: Never. Not my son. I won't stand for it.

Mr. Highsmith: What then?

Mrs. Highsmith: I made a few phone calls last night. I called several of Henry's friends. They might be able to help.

Mr. Highsmith: How?

Mrs. Highsmith: They all go to school with Henry. He spends most of his time with them. Maybe they can convince him to come off of this stupid ladder. I've invited some of them over this morning.

Mr. Highsmith: Maybe you're right. I don't know what else we can do. I've just about run out of ideas. (The doorbell rings. Mr. Highsmith answers it and enters with Mary, Al, Henrietta, Charlie, and Stanley.) Come in, kids. Well, there he is. And that is where he has been for the last two days. (The kids walk around the ladder, observing it very closely.)

Mary: Wow, not bad, not bad at all. Henry, you have really outdone yourself this time. (To Henry) Well, friend, what's it like up there? You look like you're on cloud nine. What's the word?

Henry: Words. Words. Music. Sounds. Vibrations. Movement. Motion. Action. Flying. Up, up, and away. Way away.

Mary: All right, all right. This ladder is what's happening.

Mrs. Highsmith: Young lady, might I remind you that you are supposed to be helping us get my son off of this ladder.

Mary: Keep your cool, Mrs. Highsmith. I have the situation well under control. (She goes to the ladder and climbs up a couple of rungs until she has eye-to-eye contact with Henry.) Henry, my man. It's your main squeeze, Mary. Hey, don't act like you don't know me. I'm the one that's been good to you. I'm the one who would help you to forget ... help you to forget the changes that your folks would put you through. Don't act like you don't need me,' cause just when you think you don't you always come back for more. (She takes his hand.) Come on, Henry, come on. Come fly with me to far off places - to foreign lands and foreign faces - we'll pass the sun and shoot the moon - and be back home in no time soon.

Mr. Highsmith: (Shocked by Mary's dialogue) What are you doing? Young lady, come down here this instant.

(Henry stands on the ladder. Everyone is silent in anticipation of his coming down. Looking Mary straight in the eyes, he moves, not downward, but upward one rung on the ladder. Mary laughs hysterically and comes down to the others.)

Mrs. Highsmith: What have you done? He's taken a step higher on the ladder. You did this on purpose, Mary ... Mary ... What's your name?

Mary: Wana, Mary Wana.

Mr. Highsmith: Mary Wana? Why no wonder. You're no help - get out of my house this instant.

Mary: (Laughing hysterically) With pleasure. This place is a bit too dull for me anyway. See you around. (She leaves.)

Stanley: Don't worry, Mrs. Highsmith. We'll help you get Henry down. That's what we're here for.

Mr. Highsmith: I knew we could count on you, Stanley. Do any of you kids have any idea where Henry might have gotten this ladder?

Stanley: I think I know - but I don't want to say unless I'm absolutely sure. You see the last time I saw Henry he told me he was going to see ...

Al: Cut the gab, Stanley. If we're going to get Henry off of this ladder, then let's get on with it. I don't have all day. (He goes over to the ladder.) Henry. It's me, Henry. Your buddy Al. You remember me, don't you? I'm the one you would always turn to when things would start to get you down. I'm the one that would always help you to relax. Remember, Henry? You didn't have to leave home to find me, Henry. I was always near. Your folks kept me in the house, although they constantly reminded you that I was off limits. We've been friends for a long time now. You look tired, Henry. Here, let me help you get some sleep. (He goes in his pocket and takes out a small bottle which he hands to Henry. Henry takes a quick sip.)